Australian Music Legend Michael Gudinski Passes Away

Australian music legend Michael Gudinski has passed away at the age of 68. 

According to Herald Sun, the Mushroom Group Founder and Executive Chairman passed unexpectedly on Monday evening.

Mushroom Group confirmed Gudinski's passing in a statement today.

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"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Gudinski AM overnight. The much-loved Australian music legend died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Melbourne, Australia.

"Michael Gudinski was a key figure in shaping the Australian music industry. He founded the Mushroom Group in 1972 at just 20 years old, which flourished into Australia’s largest independent entertainment group covering touring, record labels, publishing, merchandising, booking agencies, film and television production and creative services.

"Some of Australia’s most iconic albums have been released under one of his Mushroom Group record labels. His touring company Frontier Touring is Australia’s leading promoter, touring the biggest names in global music since its inception in 1979.

"A larger-than-life figure, Michael was widely respected for his unwavering passion for all music – in particular Australian music. Most recently, with the music industry severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael conceptualised and developed Music From The Home Front, The Sound and The State Of Music, platforms designed to showcase and support contemporary Australian music in an incredibly difficult time.

"It speaks to the man he was that of his countless illustrious career achievements these projects, that supported the industry he loved, were ones he was particularly proud of.

"Michael was renowned for his loyalty and dedication. His ability to achieve the unachievable against unsurmountable odds was proven time and again and spoke to his absolute passion for his career and life.

"Michael’s family loved him immensely and Michael in turn adored his wife Sue, son Matt and partner Cara, daughter Kate and husband Andrew and their children Nina-Rose and Lulu. They meant everything to him, and he was immensely proud of them. Michael often referred to his 200+ staff as the Mushroom Family, with many having clocked decades in his employment.

"Michael’s legacy will live on through his family and the enormously successful Mushroom Group – an enduring embodiment of decades of passion and determination from an incredible man.

"The family respectfully ask for privacy in this incredibly difficult time and thank everyone for their support."

Gudinski worked with some of Australia's biggest names including Skyhooks, Jimmy Barnes, Archie Roach and Kylie Minogue who he signed to Mushroom in 1987 on the back of her top-selling debut single, Locomotion.

The news comes just over a month after Gudinski launched the Sounds Better Together concert series in Victoria, which was broadcast on Australian TV in January.

Last May, Gudinski was revealed as the most influential figure in the Australian music industry on the 2019 Power 50. In September last year, The Music sat down with the Victorian-born businessman on the back of the hugely-successful Music From The Home Front TV concert series which he called "a dream come true", as well as to discuss the future for Australian music talent during the COVID pandemic.

The success of the Music From The Home Front concert saw the soundtrack hit #1 on the ARIA Albums chart.